AZE.US
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has said the country’s experience in restoring and rebuilding liberated territories could serve as a useful model for other states facing similar challenges.
Aliyev made the remarks during a May 16 meeting with Anacláudia Rossbach, executive director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, known as UN-Habitat.
The talks focused on preparations for the 13th session of the World Urban Forum, or WUF13, which will be held in Baku. Rossbach praised Azerbaijan’s work ahead of the event, saying the preparations had left a strong impression and reflected an innovative approach to hosting one of the United Nations’ major global gatherings.
She also noted that Azerbaijan hosted COP29 at a high level and said the organization of WUF13 after that event was significant. According to Rossbach, COP and the World Urban Forum are among the largest events in the UN system, and Azerbaijan has effectively created a link between them.
Aliyev said Azerbaijan had taken all necessary steps to organize WUF13 successfully. He recalled that he had recently visited the area around Baku Olympic Stadium to review preparations for the forum and said he hoped the event would be focused on practical results.
The president said Azerbaijan’s approach to urban planning, including large-scale restoration and construction in the liberated territories under post-conflict conditions, could be valuable for other countries. He said Azerbaijan was ready to share that experience.
Following the meeting, Azerbaijan’s State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture and UN-Habitat signed a letter of intent on cooperation in preparing operational guidance for future host countries of World Urban Forum sessions, based on the WUF13 Baku standards.
The document is intended to help future hosts with decision-making and improve the operational efficiency of upcoming forums by drawing on the preparation process for WUF13 in Baku.
AZE.US